Two-channel microwave radiometer for observations of total column precipitable water vapor and cloud liquid water path
The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program is focused on improving the treatment of radiation transfer in models of the atmospheric general circulation, as well as on improving parameterizations of cloud properties and formation processes in these models (USDOE, 1990). To help achieve these objectives, ARM is deploying several two-channel, microwave radiometers at the Cloud and Radiation Testbed (CART) site in Oklahoma for the purpose of obtaining long time series observations of total precipitable water vapor (PWV) and cloud liquid water path (LWP). The performance of the WVR-1100 microwave radiometer deployed by ARM at the Oklahoma CART site central facility to provide time series measurements precipitable water vapor (PWV) and liquid water path (LWP) has been presented. The instrument has proven to be durable and reliable in continuous field operation since June, 1992. The accuracy of the PWV has been demonstrated to achieve the limiting accuracy of the statistical retrieval under clear sky conditions, degrading with increasing LWP. Improvements are planned to address moisture accumulation on the Teflon window, as well as to identity the presence of clouds with LWP at or below the retrieval uncertainty.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 10128996
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA--22773; CONF-940131--4; ON: DE94007480
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BASIC STUDIES
CLOUDS
CONDENSATION NUCLEI
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENTATION
MOISTURE
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PERFORMANCE
RADIANT HEAT TRANSFER
RADIOMETERS
REMOTE SENSING